ELY (UNLVRebels.com) - The Rebels were back to work on Sunday here at Broadbent Park for one afternoon practice session.

The team slept in and then attended chapel before morning meetings. After lunch the team went to the park, but practice was delayed because of lighting. The team waited for 45 minutes for the storm to pass before taking the field.

After the practice the Rebels enjoyed a thanksgiving feast for dinner that included ham, turkey, dressing and vegetables.

C.J. THE G.A.: One of UNLV's three graduate assistant coaches for the 2013 season has actually been a member of the program for more than half a decade.

C.J. Cox (full name Chanton Jerrard Cox) came to the Rebels out of Garland, Texas, in 2008 and began his college career by playing in all 12 games as a true freshman. Cox ranked as the nation's No. 76 safety prospect by Scout coming out of North Garland High School and received scholarship offers as a DB from programs such as Wisconsin, Nebraska and Oklahoma State.

He ended up picking UNLV because then-head coach Mike Sanford said he could play running back. After rushing for 420 total yards in his first few campaigns, he moved to linebacker in 2011.

Turning in his helmet for a clipboard, he spent the 2012 season as an undergrad assistant and this year joins another former Rebel -- Jay Staggs -- and former UCLA receiver Taylor Embree in making up Bobby Hauck's GA trio.

That means Cox has been coming here to Ely for six straight years. He's coaching defense and special teams in 2013 and will pursue his master's degree in public administration.

"Nothing beats being able to play football but I am fortunate to get to still be in the game at my alma mater (by coaching)," Cox said. "It's football from a different point of view as a coach and I've already learned a lot."

Asked to compare being a player in preseason camp and a coach in preseason camp, Cox said there are long days on both sides of the sidelines but there is one big difference.

"As a player, it is physically tiring while as a coach, it's mentally tiring."

Cox, who said he would like to make coaching a career and become an offensive coordinator some day, is proud of the player pipeline UNLV is enjoying from the state of Texas (10 Lone Star State Rebels are on the current roster). "Having Texans around, I can help look out for them and get them used to living in Las Vegas. It's helps to have someone to relate to."

NEXT UP: UNLV will have its final two-a-day practice in Ely on Monday. The Rebels' first practice will start at 9:00 a.m. and their second practice will be at 3:30 p.m. The team will work towards Wednesday's scrimmage on Aug. 21 before returning to Las Vegas.